NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Eleanor Parker, (519-359-6927 & londoninwhite@gmail.com)
“LONDON IN WHITE”, A GLOBAL DINING EVENT, ANNOUNCES KEYNOTE SPEAKER.
LONDON, Ontario, (July 20, 2016) --- Elissa Hillary, Executive Director with Local First Grand Rapids will be the featured key note speaker at the upcoming London in White event being held in London on Wednesday, August 10, 2016.
Since 2007, Elissa Hillary has served as the Executive Director of Local First Grand Rapids, an entrepreneurial program working to build a sustainable West Michigan economy. This is someone who has changed the landscape of the “buy local” movement in Western Michigan. Her energy and creativity have helped promote sustainable business development, reduce waste, and increase community vibrancy.
Elissa was the person responsible for the major economic study conducted a few years ago in Western Michigan (Titled “Local Works! Examining the Impact of Local Business on the West Michigan Economy a Civic Economics Study for Local First, Grand Rapids Michigan) which determined that a 10% shift of spending from chains to locally owned businesses would create nearly $140 million in new economic activity, add over 1600 new jobs to the area, and provide over $50 million in new wages.
You can read more about “living social” in her bi-monthly column in Grand Rapids Magazine. Elissa was named Grand Rapids Young Professionals Exemplary Executive in 2010 and one of Grand Rapids Business Journal’s “Top 40 under 40” business leaders in 2010 and 2012. She is a 2011 Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) Fellow. In addition, she serves on the Grand Rapids DDA’s Board of Directors.
In her free time, Elissa enjoys traveling, hiking, and crafting delicious locally-sourced meals.
Tickets for London in White can be purchased on Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/london-in-white-tickets-25931300217). Standard ticket is $50 plus your Epic Network membership for those who are not members yet ($30). Seating is first come first seated. Please bring a picnic dinner. Organize a group of eight friends, clients or employees and receive reserved seating. Too busy to prepare your own picnic ….we thought of that. VIP tickets ($100) that includes reserved seating, and your gourmet picnic dinner prepared for you by a local merchant.
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